Railway-car brake



Aug. 14, 192s.r

C. A. BRENNAN RAILWAY AR BRAKE Filed Dec. 13, 1926 2 SheetafSheet c. A. BRENNAN 'RAILWAY GAR BRAKE Aug. `14. ma 1,680,968

Fne'd'nec. 13, 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Aug. 14,- 1928.

` CLARK A. BRENNAN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

RAILWAY-CAR BRAKE.

Application led December 13, 1926. Serial No. 154,404.

This invention relates to mechanism for applying the hand operated brakes on railway cars, and particularly on railway frei ht cars.

T e law now requires that every railway freight car carry hand mechanism for applying the brakes thereof. `The hand mechanism now commonly used for applying the brakes on such cars is both dangerous in operation to the brakeman applying thesame, is very diicult to operate and is inefficient in action to properly sto the car.

` It is accordingly an o ject of this invention to provide an improved hand operated mechanism for applying the brakes on railway cars, which can be used without danger in application with great efficiency.

It is a further object of this invention to provide hand operated mechanism `which will utilize the motive force of a railway car when in motion to set the brakes of the car.

Yet another object is to provide hand operated mechanism which can be thrown into engagement to cause a rota-ting axle of a moving car to set the brakes of the car.

Another object is to provide rclutch mechanism on an axle of a railway car which can be thrown into engagement to cause the clutch to yrotate with the axle, and means for connecting the rotatable clutch with the brake rigging ofacar to set the brakes thereof as the clutch is rotated.

A further object is to provide a clutch mechanism which can be thrown into engagement with the rotating axle of a railway car, the clutch mechanism having a drum carried thereon and a flexible member connected with the drum and with the brake rigging of the car to set the brakes, as the same is wound upon-the drum.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the various views and, in which,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2, as indicated by 'the arrows, through a portion of a railway freight f Fig. 2, is a plan view ofone truck of a railway freight car showing one embodinent of the present invention applied thereo; p Fig. 3, is a horizontal section taken through the forward axle of they truck, as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5, is a vertical section taken'on the line 5-5 of Fig. `3, as indicatedby the arrows;

Fig. 6, is a vertical section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3,as indicated lby the arrows; y t

l Fig. 7, is` an end elevation of the top portion of a freight car showing a portion of the present device applied thereto;

Fig. 8, is a horizontal section taken on the line8-8 of Fig. 7 as indicated by the arrows; y i l Fig. 9, is a detail view showing portions of certain of the parts used, and,

Fig. 10, is another `detail View of certain of the parts of the device. A

Referring to the drawings, certain parts of a freight boxcarof standard construction are i lustrated including the rear truck of the car vadjacent the brake or B-end of the car, and a portion of the box body of the car. The rear truck includes the truck bolster l1, side frames 12yof diamond type, rear axle 13, front axle 14, wheels 15 and front and rear transoms 16. A portion of the brake rigging of the car is shown including the brake beam.17, brake heads 18, and brake beam actuating rods and levers 19, 20, and 2l. Lever 20 is illustrated as connected to the piston of the air-(brake cylinder 22, whereby as pressure is applied to the cylinder 22, pressure will be applied to thelevers and rods 19, 20, and 2l to cause the brake beams 17 to set the brake heads 18 against the wheelsl of the truck. Chainsl are illustrated which will normally be connected to suitable brake `hangers not illustrated.

The box body of the car includes the body bolster 23, sills 24, box body proper 25, end platform 2G and the grab iron 2T, secured to the top of the car at the B-end thereof. Axles 13 and 14 are of common construction, axle 14 having the conical portions 14 immediately inside the spindle portions thereof to strengthen they axle adjacent the wheels.

In accordance with the present invention, a fixed member of a` sliding cone clutch is provided comprising the two members 28,

embracing one conical portion 14a of the axle 14 and being secured togethed by bolts running through surfaced tlanges thereon, one of said members 28 being splined to conical portion 14L by key 28; Inwardly facing split conical surfaces 28 are formed on the circumferential edges of members 28, each of said surfaces 28b having secured thereto brake lining 29. Lining 29 may be formed of leather or any other suitable lining material, such as is now commonly employed in connection with automobile brakes. 'l'he inner sides of each of the members 28 are cut away at 28C to form portions ofan oil and packing chamber to be hereinafter described. One of the flanges oneach member 28 is provided with an upstanding or tenon portion 28d while the other flange of each member 28 is provided with a grooved or mortised portion 28, a. tenen portion 28 of one member 28 fitting within the mortised portion 28c of the other member 28.

The sliding member of the clutch is formed by the two halfmembers 30, the said members being secured together by bolts running throughsurfaced flanges thereon, each member 30 having one flange formed with a tenen 30n and another flange with a mortise 30, the tenen 30 of one member 30 engaging within the mortise 30b of the other member 30. Members 30 are each inwardly recessed at their outer ends to form the hollow bell shaped member of the clutch, the recessed portions having outwardly facing split conical surfaces 30C formed thereon, the said surfaces being adapted to abut the brake lining 29. The said recessed portions inwardly from conical surfaces 30c form with the recessed portions 28c of members 28 an oil and packing chamber. Central half hubs 30d are formed in each of members 30, the said half hubs co-operating to form a bearing within which the shaft 14 will run. The central outer surfaces of both members 30 are contracted towards the axle 14 to form a drum 30 upon which one end of a chain 3l or flexible cable is adapted to be wound. Ring grooves 30f are formed on each of the perimeters of the members 30 ad-y jacent the inner ends thereof, half rings 32 being provided which lit within the said grooves. A shifting'head 33 is provided to v ich the half 'rings-32 are secured; the

shifting head 33 being composed of semicircular members secured together by bolts extending through flanges thereon. A tension spring 34 is secured at one end to an eye in the forward transom 16 and at its other end to one of the flanges of the shifting head 33. Small bosses 33 are formed on each of the members composing the shifting head 33 at diametrically opposite points thereon. Arms 35 are pivoted to the bosses 33 asjby bolts 36 for horizontal swinging movement. The said arms are preferably composed from strap iron and are twisted at right angles after being projected outwardly from bosses 33a. a short. distance. 'l'hc arms 33 then converge towards each other and are joined together by a socket 37 forming the forward' half of the socket of a ball and socket joint. A bracket 38 is secured to the forward transom 16 adjacent the opposite side of the truck from the members 28 and Bracket 38 has a plurality of holes thereinwhereby various adjustment of the length thereofl from transom 16 may be made. A rod 39 is pivoted at one end t0 bracket 38 and has a ball formedat the other end thereoftitting within half socket 37. A cap 4() is bolted to half socket 37, cap 40, half socket and the ball at the end of rod 3!) forming a ball and socket joint. The rod 39 and arms 35`form a toggle for movc ment of the shifting head 33.` A horizontal rib is formed at the rear si'de of cap 40 to which a forked end of an actuating rod 41 is secured, the rod 4l extendingr rearwardly from 'ap 40 beneath the central portion o'f the truck bolster 11 to adjacent the rear or brake end of the car.

Bearing blocks 42 are secured in vertical alignment to the brake end of the car body at spaced points, one of the blocks being secured prefe ably to the end sill 24 and the other block being secured to the body proper 25 adjacent the top thereof. A crank arm 43 having a spool thereon fitting within the lower bearing block 41 is provided, the spool having a square aperture cut partway therethrough within which its the lower square end of a vertical stall 44. The rear end of the actuating rod 41 is forked to receive the outer end of crank arm 43, the. crank arm 43 and actuating rod 41 being pivoted together. A strap bearing 45 extends around the central portion of the spool on arm 43, the strap bracket being sceured'by bolts to the lower block 42. Stall 44 extends upwardly from crank arm 43 through the bearing portion of the upper bearing block 4L. A lever 46 having a spool, the central portion of which fits within the. upper bearing block 42, is secured to stall 44 at the upper end thereof, the staff beingsquared at its upper end and itting within a square bore extending partially through the spool in lever 46. A ratchet 47 forming a strap bearlUll liu

ing, within which the spool of lever,46 is secured, is itself` boltedto the upper bearing block42.. A dog 48 pivoted adjacent the lower end of lever 46 is adapted to -fit in any of the ratchet teeth on ratchet 47. A bar spring `49secured tolever 46 normally urges the dog 48 into engagement with the ratchet teeth. A bell crank handle lever 501s pivoted to the outer end of lever 46, an actuating rod 51 being pivoted at one endA to Ione of the lever arms of handle lever and pivoted at its other end to the dog 48. Ratchet 47` has a lurality of ratchet .teeth `4 7",i adapted toA old the dog 48 in engagement to prevent rot-ation of the lever 46 in one direction and a' single tooth 47b adapted to hold dog 48 in engagement therewith to prevent lever 46 being swung in an opposite direction.L J l b Y jOne of the members 30 of the shifting portionof the clutch isprovided outwardly from the centralportion of its Ahub portion 30d with anapertureextending through one wall ofthe drum 30? and partially through the other wall thereof. 4,A pin 52 is inserted within said aperture, the pinbeing heldy from removal b a Cotter-pin secured in spaced ears 30g fbrmed at` the inner side of the chosen member 30. A short chain 53 is preferably secured to the rear end of the piston in the air cylinder 22, `the chain having secured thereto at its end, pulley block 54 within which pulley wheel 55 is journaled. A chain 31 is secured at one end to `pin 52, the chain running through the pulley block 54, about pulley wheel 55 and being secured at its other endto an eye Secured to a portion of the car body as the sill 24. A plug 56 is provided in one of the, members 30, the` plug leadinl to the oila'nd packingmliamber formed between the recessed portions of members 30 andthe recessed portions v28c in members 28. Y.

Operation.

Thefparts of the `device will normall stand when a railway car is in travelwit thesliding `member of the clutch formed by members 30 slid inwardly. from theflixed member of the clutch formed by members 28. `In such position, there willbe no en-` gagement between the conical surfaces 30 and the brake lining29, and the lever 46 will stand in the positionindicated in Fig. 8 with the dog 48 in vengagement with the first notch in the ratchet 47 to prevent move-V ment of lever 46 to the left. f l b b When it Visdesired. to apply the hand brake on the car, the brakeman will stand upon the end platform 26, graspthe grab iron 27 with his left hand and vgrasp the end of the lever 46`and the `bell crank handle lever 50 'with his other hand. If he is carrying a lanterniin his right hand,l the same may be held while levers 46 and 50 are grasped. Handflever 50 will now he moved towards the lever 46 thereby raising the dog 48 against the tensionL of spring 49 to swing the dog outwardly `:from tooth 477b of ratchet 47. Lever 46 will now be 4swung to the, left of the position shownin Fig. 7. Staff 44 will accordingly be turned,.thereby swinging arm 43 towards the rear truck of the car. Rod 41 will accordingly be actuated `to spread the toggle arms 39 and 35. Arm 39 being pivoted to the fixed bracket 38, all the movement of the toggle connection will be transmitted to movethe operating head 33 to the left, as illustratedI in Figs. Band 4, thereby shifting the sliding member of the clutch formed by members 30. The sliding member of theclutch will accordingly be thrown into engagement with the fixedmember of the clutch, the surfaces 30c of the sliding member gripping the brake lining 29., The car being in motion and axle 14y rotating under tremendous power, the shifting member of the vclutch willbe rotated with the fixed member and with the axle 14. As the shifting member of the clutch rotates, chain `31, secured `to the shifting member by the pin 52, will be wound on the drum 30", accordingly, pulling the pulley wheel 55, pulley block 54 and chain 53 towards the axle 14 with tremendous power. Chain 53 being secured tothe same brake rigging asis the piston of the air cylinder 22, the brakes will beset against the wheels 15 of the car to skidthe same. The car will, accordingly, be quickly stopped in transit by exerting 'but-slightopower, upon the` lever `46. carried to the left toengage thetwo members of the clutch, spring 49 will force the dogv48 downwardly into engagement with oneof the ratchet teeth 47,l toholjd the clutch members in engagement.i .Accordingly, after l the car `hasbeen brought toa stop the two members ofL the clutch stillvremain in engagementto anchor thelcar. The car when After the leverw46 hasbeen brake `system of the cartosetthe brakes nor will the air brake system interfere with the action of thepresent device. i When now it is desired to release thehan brakefon the car, lever 46 and hand lever 50 will be grasped, Awhereupon lever `46 will be swung to the position indicated in` Figs. 7 and 8,the dog 48 iirstbeing disengaged from t-he ratchet teeth4 47, yThe shifting member of the clutch" will thus be slid on axle 14 away from the fixed member of the clutch to disengage the conical portions 30c :from` the brake lining 29. The chain 31 will either-unwind from" the drum 3()c` due to its owirweight orf will sooniunwind therefrom, due to thejolting offthe ear, as itis first set in motion'.l Y

- Spring holds the actuating head" 3 from rotation' with the4 slidablememberv of tlie'clutch and preferably the end ofi spring 34 connected to theforwardl transom 16 is secured to an eye securedf inwardly from actuating member 33'wlie1r the two members of the clutch are in-f engagement. Spring: 34 will accordingly tend todraw actuating head 33 centrally'oi axle 14h The universal joint formed by-half socket 37, rod539 and cap 40 'l will permit'` movement of the truck in respect to the Ybodyof the carin both-vertical? and horizontal planesv without injury to the various parts of theA device. As rod l11' will normally stand directly'below the centralv portion ofthe truck bolster 11, rod 41 will formibut a shortforward lever arm from the pivoted portion' of 'the truck; movement of toggle arms- 35 and 39 tlien will be but slight as thetruc-k turns in rea spect to theE car body. The movement of the toggle arms accordingly willbe insucientv to shift the sliding' portion of the clutch into engagement with the' fixed portion thereofftoyset the bra-kes. The mortise and tenon: connections between the flanges on membersQS and 30 will insure-proper alignment of said respective members yandprevent the boltssecuring the various flangestogether beingsheared off at any time. Inasmuchas a chamber isformed between the recessed portion 28 of theI fixedmember of the clutch,- andA the recessedrportion formed in the members 30,of' the sliding; member of the clutch, proper lubrication can beap plied to the' axle'to insure the' sliding member of the clutch being readily slidA to and from the fixed `member thereof.

Due to the split construction of thevari`- ous parts tting'around theaxle 14' of" the device, it can be seen that the variousparts can'be readily applied toftrucks whichare already assembled without the' necessityof disassembling the same. Accordingly, the deviene can be readily applied to rolling stock now 1n use.

It will, of course, be understood, that the drawings illustrate' but one embodiment of the invention applied to but one-type of railway car; The device can be applied'on any type of railway car, whether using inside or outside brakes by'slightly changing theI location and arrangement' of` certain parts. Variousy types of mechanism may be substituted for the operating rod. 41 and toggle arms 39 and for shifting the operating head 53. Theinventor also contemplatesithe use ofdifferent typesof clutch mechanism than. that above; described and illustrated.

It will, of course, be understood that other changes'may bemade in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of the present invention, which, generally stated, consists in the matter shown and described and set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1'. The combination with a railway car and* the axle and brake rigging thereof, of a brake actuatingmechanism, comprising a fixed clutch member secured tosaid axle, a slidingl clutch member journaled on said axle for sliding engagement with said fixed member, said sliding clutch member having a drum formed thereon, a flexible member connected at one end to said drum and at its other end to said brake rigging, said flexible member being adapted to operate said brake rigging to set the brakes as said flexible member is wound on said drum, a shifting head for shifting said sliding clutch member, a toggle arm connected at one end to said'shifting head, a toggle arm having one end pivoted to a fixed bracket, said toggle arms being connected together by a universal joint, an actuating rod pivoted to said universal joint and means connectedtosaid actuating rod for moving the same.

2. The combination with a railway car and the axle and brake rigging thereof, of a brake actuatingmeclianism comprising a member'adapted to be engaged with said car axle-to rotate therewith, said member having a drumy formed thereon, a' fiexible member connected to said drum and to said brakerigging, a toggleadapted to be operated to throw said first mentioned member into engagement with said car axle when said axle is rotating, thereby rotating said first mentioned member and causing said flexible member to wind on said drum to operate said brake rigging to set the brakes, an actuating rod for operating said toggle, a staff at theendof the car having a crank thereon for moving said rod and means adapted to be operated to turn said staff.

3. The combination with a railway car and the axle and brake rigging thereof, of a brake actuating mechanism comprising a member adaptedto be engaged with said car axle to rotate therewith, said member hav ing a drumformed thereon, a flexible member connected to said drum and to said brake rigging, a toggle adapted to be operated to throw said first mentioned member into engagement with said car axle when said axle is rotating, thereby rotating said first mentioned member4 and causing said flexible member to wind on said drum to operate saidbrake rigging to set the brakes, an wctuating rod for operating said toggle, a staff at one end of the car having a crank thereon forwmoving'said rod, a lever for turning said staff, a ratchet adjacent said lever and a dog secured to said lever for engagement with anyone of the teeth of the said ratchet.

4. The combination with a railway car axle and brake rigging, of a fixed clutch member secured to said axle, a sliding clutch member journaled on said axle for engagement with said fixed clutch member, said clutch members having opposing faces with hollowed out portions therein to form an oil and packing chamber for lubricating purposes, a flexible member adapted when pulled to actuate said brake rigging to set the brakes and means for throwing said clutch members into engagement to cause said flexible member to be wound on said movable member of the clutch to set the brakes of the car when the same is in motion.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CLARK A.` BRENNAN. 

